The National leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reacted to the arrest of Uche Nwosu at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral Umunwokwe village, in the Eziama-Obieri Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State by operatives of the Nigeria Police.
Nwosu, a former governorship candidate in the state was arrested during a thanksgiving service commemorating his mother’s burial.
But CAN, in a statement on Thursday by Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media &Communications) to the CAN President said the Christian umbrella body was embarrassed by the conduct of the police.
“We feel highly embarrassed by this ugly development and feel pained that the Nigeria Police had no respect even for the House of God. We cannot remember whether this act of disrespect for God ever happened before in our country,” CAN said.
Oladeji said CAN has nothing to apologize for over what the police did “because we were never and would never be party to their horrendous act”.
According to him, the Police that did the disgraceful thing should appropriately apologize without giving any excuse.
“We expect them to be more circumspect in the performance of their duties.”
“We are not asking the Police or the security agencies not to do their constitutional duties but the idea of desecrating the House of God in doing so is totally unacceptable, unfortunate and reprehensible.”
“In view of the foregoing, we urge the Inspector General of Police to call his men to order and continue to respect all houses of worship, whether church or mosque. This type of act should never happen again in our country.”